A legal battle between a Hindu group that sought to build a spiritual retreat/worship center in West Forsyth County and an adjacent homeowners group appears to be ending.

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners approved 5-0 a settlement agreement between Chinmaya Mission of Alpharetta and the Polo Golf and Country Club Homeowners Association, which had appealed the commission’s 2014 decision allowing the religious group to build a 35,000 square-foot facility off Pittman Road.

The HOA had fought it on two grounds; that the property wouldn’t be used as a church as applied for, and that proper county public participation procedures weren’t followed.

Under the agreement, Chinmaya will not improve the property beyond 30,000 square feet for a five-year period starting this month, and will be limited to 35,000 for 10 years. In addition, all litigation and appeals will be withdrawn.

About the Author

Featured

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, seen here in a file photo from Nov. 14, 2024, is conducting a statewide audit of voter registrations targeting registrations at businesses and P.O. boxes for possible cancelation. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com